The Comfort Trolley, led by the Patient Experience team, is being currently trialled across four wards providing patients with free access to activities and wellbeing essentials to help make their time in hospital a little more comfortable and positive.
The trolley includes a range of items designed to support both emotional and physical wellbeing, including books, puzzle books, arts and crafts activities, sensory resources and games. These activities can help reduce anxiety, alleviate boredom and provide meaningful distraction for patients during their stay.
Patients can also access wellbeing and comfort essentials, such as mini toothpastes, toothbrushes, mini body wash and shampoo, hairbrushes, hair scrunchies, roll-on deodorant, eye masks and ear plugs.
These small but important items help support comfort and dignity, particularly for patients who may not have their belongings with them during their stay or have friends or relatives close at hand.
The initiative has been supported by QEHKL Charity, which secured generous donations from the local community to help stock the trolley. Early contributions goods from staff as well as Tesco in Gaywood, Morrisons alongside additional items donated by Beauty Banks.
The trolley is being taken around wards by the hospital’s Volunteering Team, helping ensure patients across the hospital can access the items and benefit from small moments of comfort during their stay.
Dawn Collins, Interim Chief Nurse at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn, said: “Being in hospital can sometimes feel overwhelming for patients, so initiatives like this can make a real difference. Providing free activities and comfort items helps support patients’ emotional wellbeing and can make their stay a little easier.
“It’s fantastic to see our Patient Experience team, volunteers, QEHKL Charity and community partners and many staff working together to ensure patients remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Sithara Thundathil Sunny Joseph, Patient Experience Lead at The QEH, said: “A hospital stay can sometimes be stressful or isolating for patients, and small acts of comfort can make a real difference to how someone feels. We hope this trial proves a success and gains lots of support so that we can roll it out fully across the hospital.”
Support the Comfort Trolley
The hospital is inviting local businesses, community groups and organisations to help support the Comfort Trolley through donations of suitable items or financial contributions.
Donations such as books, puzzle books, arts and crafts materials, games, sensory items and personal care essentials can help ensure the trolley continues to support patients across the hospital.
Anyone interested in supporting the initiative can contact patient.experience@qehkl.nhs.uk or charity@qehkl.co.uk
Together, staff, volunteers, charity partners and the local community are helping create a more positive and supportive experience for patients at QEH.
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Photo caption: QEH staff and volunteers have launched a Comfort Trolly to support patients
Notes to editors;
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For media enquiries only, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
If you would like to raise funds for good causes or help an appeal at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, please take a look at our website www.qehklcharity.co.uk. Alternatively, please email our Charity team at Charity@qehkl.nhs.uk or call 01553 613309.
For all other enquiries, please contact QEH Switchboard on 01553 613613.
About QEHKL Charity: QEHKL Charity plays a vital role in supporting The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn. The charity raises funds for medical equipment, research, services, and facilities that directly benefit patients and their families. With its support, QEHKL can provide high-quality care, expand services, and improve the hospital experience for those in need.
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